Navigating the complexities of BigCommerce shipping can be daunting. Missteps here can mean lost revenue, as you grapple with vanished orders, delayed deliveries, and the hassles of returns. These shipping woes can be a source of sleepless nights.
But there are BigCommerce shipping apps designed to streamline your delivery needs. In this article, LitExtension, the #1 Shopping Cart Migration Expert will spotlight:
- The importance of BigCommerce shipping software
- 11 top BigCommerce shipping app choices
- Key Features to look for in BigCommerce shipping integration
Without further ado, let’s dive right in!
The Importance of BigCommerce Shipping Apps
How do BigCommerce shipping apps work?
BigCommerce shipping apps are software integrations that connect to your BigCommerce store and enhance your shipping operations. They integrate with your store to offer features like real-time shipping quotes, discounted rates from multiple carriers, and automated label generation, streamlining the shipping process for you and your customers. These apps essentially supercharge the basic features built into BigCommerce shipping.
Why should you use BigCommerce shipping apps?
As your business expanded, manual label printing and order fulfillment became impractical, leading to late deliveries and missed shipments. This inefficiency drives customers to competitors who offer prompt and reliable service.
Fortunately, implementing a shipping solution could significantly transform your operations. Such a system would support you in tasks like generating and printing labels, managing your stock, securing lower shipping costs, and syncing orders from your online platform. This ensures that your customers get their purchases on time without breaking the bank, making your business more appealing and likely to draw in a larger clientele.
Now that you know the basics of BigCommerce shipping apps, let’s check out the top options for your business!
10+ Best BigCommerce Shipping Apps
ShipStation
ShipStation streamlines order management and shipping for online sellers. It integrates with over 70 popular sales channels, allowing you to manage orders from a single dashboard. Automate tasks to save time and sync unlimited orders from various sources.
Key Features:
- Unified Platform: Centralize orders from multiple platforms for efficient processing.
- Cost-Effective Shipping: Choose the most affordable carriers and rates.
- Simplified Returns: Create a branded returns portal for a hassle-free customer experience.
- Enhanced Branding: Utilize branded tracking pages and custom communication tools.
- Dedicated Support: Access a team ready to assist you from the start.
- Customized Delivery: Offer live shipping rates and tailored options at checkout.
ShipStation | PROS | CONS |
Price: From $9.99 - $229.99/month |
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Overall rating: 4* (220+ reviews) | ||
ShipperHQ
ShipperHQ BigCommerce empowers you to tailor the checkout experience, offering precise shipping rates and delivery choices to meet various business goals. It simplifies complex rate setups and adjustments, consolidating logistics management in one place for optimal customer options at checkout. Adding to that, its automation reduces friction and boosts margins.
Key Features:
- Rate Management: Tailor delivery charges for complex scenarios and customer groups.
- Cost Control: Avoid overcharges with automated packing and carrier rate checks.
- Customization: Apply discounts and manage delivery options for a personalized shipping experience.
- Efficiency: Streamline shipping from multiple sources and optimize for the nearest origin.
- Global Expansion: Handle international shipping complexities, including duties and taxes.
ShipperHQ | PROS | CONS |
Price: From $69 - $550/month (billed annually) |
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Overall rating: 4* (110+ reviews) | ||
ShippingEasy
As one of the best BigCommerce shipping apps, ShippingEasy is crafted to effortlessly streamline your shipping operations. It integrates with a plethora of eCommerce platforms and serves as your centralized hub for order management, label printing, and shipment tracking. Say goodbye to the hassle of juggling between platforms—ShippingEasy brings everything together in one intuitive dashboard, simplifying your workflow and saving you precious time.
Key Features:
- Order Integration: Automatically import orders and update shipping information.
- Automation: Simplify label printing and returns, focusing on business growth.
- International Shipping: Automate customs forms for error-free international deliveries.
- Branding: Personalize labels and packing slips with your brand logo.
- Accessibility: Easy start with a low-cost plan and a free trial for new users.
ShippingEasy | PROS | CONS |
Price: From $0 - $19.99/month (starting price for Growth Plans) |
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Overall rating: 4* (70+ reviews) | ||
Shippo
Shippo is a comprehensive BigCommerce shipping software offering real-time rate comparisons from over 55 carriers. You can compare and select the best options for your business while being able to manage label printing and order tracking seamlessly.
Key Features:
- Rate Comparison: Easily compare carrier rates and print labels from one place.
- Tracking & Notifications: Automatic updates keep customers informed about their shipments.
- Order Integration: Directly import orders from BigCommerce and other eCommerce platforms.
- Return Labels: Pre-print return labels, only charged upon customer use.
- Carrier Connectivity: Access discounts from 58+ carriers through a single dashboard.
Shippo | PROS | CONS |
Price: From $50 - several hundred dollars/month (billed annually) |
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Overall rating: 4* (30+ reviews) | ||
AfterShip & Returns Center
Known as one of the highest-rated BigCommerce shipping apps, AfterShip offers online retailers an automated solution for tracking shipments and updating customers on order status. It integrates with shopping carts and provides a seamless update system.
Key Features:
- Order Tracking: Keep customers informed about their order’s status and location.
- Easy Integration: Simple to add to your website with a monitoring button.
- Custom Updates: Editable content for personalized customer communication.
- Return Management: Streamline the returns process with an easy-to-use platform.
- Enhanced Customer Experience: Improve post-purchase satisfaction with automatic notifications.
AfterShip & Returns Center | PROS | CONS |
Price: From $11/100 shipments - $239/2,000 shipments |
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Overall rating: 5* (350+ reviews) | ||
ShipWorks
ShipWorks is a versatile and efficient BigCommerce shipping integration solution. It streamlines import, management, shipping, and tracking processes.
Key Features:
- Order Import: Seamlessly import orders directly from BigCommerce.
- Integration: Connect with over 90 online marketplaces and shopping carts.
- Automated Updates: Download orders from BigCommerce and send back modified status, shipping details, and tracking information.
- Shipping & Fulfillment: Air, ground, freight, and parcel shipping, including backorder and container management.
- Tracking & Management: Order entry, fulfillment, tracking, and multi-location management.
- Quality & Reporting: Quality, returns, shipment price calculation, and analytics.
- Warehouse Operations: Comprehensive warehouse and shipping management.
ShipWorks | PROS | CONS |
Price: From ~$50 - $200/month (billed annually) |
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Overall rating: 4* (5+ reviews) | ||
Ordoro
Ordoro is one of the all-in-one BigCommerce shipping apps. It acts as a central hub, accelerating your workflow and overseeing orders and products across your entire operation.
Key Features:
- Inventory Management: Centralize your distribution networks with robust inventory tools.
- Shipping Management: Access a suite of shipping features and competitive rates.
- Dropshipping: Enjoy effortless, automated dropshipping functions.
- Advanced Analytics: Gain comprehensive market insights from integrated sales and supply channels.
Ordoro | PROS | CONS |
Price: From ~$50 - ~$300+/month (billed annually) |
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Overall rating: 4.8* (70+ reviews) | ||
ShipBlink
ShipBlink is one of the best shipping for BigCommerce. It offers hassle-free, cost-effective shipping options.
Key Features:
- Carrier Checkout Integration: Display the best shipping choices at checkout, comparing rates from over 100 carriers.
- Free Contactless Pickups: Schedule pickups directly from your doorstep.
- Cheapest Shipping Insurance: Protect packages across carriers, service levels, and countries with premiums as low as 1% of the insured amount.
- Branded Tracking Page: Keep customers informed with real-time shipping updates.
- Automatic BigCommerce Orders Sync: Easily track all your BigCommerce orders on the ShipBlink Dashboard.
- Multi-Carrier Support: Access rates and print labels from 100+ carriers, including USPS, UPS, FedEx, DHL, and more.
ShipBlink | PROS | CONS |
Price: From $0.month for 30 labels - $69/month for 1750 labels |
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Overall rating: 5* (5+ reviews) | ||
ShipBob
ShipBob is one of the comprehensive BigCommerce shipping apps. It combines streamlined shipping, distribution, order and inventory management, predictive analytics, and customer engagement.
Key Features:
- Ecommerce Integrations: Link all your stores to ShipBob, whether you have one or sell across multiple channels. Easily sync your online store with it.
- Inventory Management: Handle inventory across various eCommerce stores and fulfillment centers using ShipBob’s tools and guidance. Real-time synchronization between your dashboard and eCommerce stores.
- Distributed Inventory: Strategically distribute inventory across fulfillment centers for efficient and cost-effective item movement. Offer same-day and two-day delivery to stay competitive.
- Order Management: Track orders from start to finish. Filter by status, search, and monitor order progress with time-stamped history.
- Return Management: Simplify returns for customers while efficiently processing and replenishing usable inventory through ShipBob’s end-to-end fulfillment services.
ShipBob | PROS | PROS |
Price: Custom quote |
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Overall rating: 4* (200+ reviews) | ||
Desktop Shipper
DesktopShipper is cloud-based BigCommerce shipping software catering to small businesses, large corporations, and distribution companies.
Key Features:
- Order Collection: Real-time order collection from multiple marketplaces via a centralized dashboard.
- Carrier Setup: Configure carrier accounts with shipping requirements, link locations, integrations, and more.
- Routing Tool: Map shipping methods to specific services or service categories.
- Custom Packing Slips: Tailor packing slips for clients or marketplaces, choosing size and print settings.
- Efficient Batch Management: Bulk updates for order specifics, saving time and effort.
DesktopShipper | PROS | CONS |
Price: Custom quote |
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Overall rating: 5* (1+ reviews) | ||
PluginHive
PluginHive excels in BigCommerce shipping apps, boasting a strong user base. Its BigCommerce Multi-Carrier Shipping Label app is a standout, offering real-time rates, bulk label printing, and seamless carrier integration.
Key Features:
- Shipping Automation: Real-time rate display, one-click label printing, and order tracking.
- Global Carrier Network: Connect with major carriers for both domestic and international shipping.
- Cost-Effective Options: Shop for the cheapest shipping services to reduce expenses.
- Delivery Date Estimation: Provide estimated delivery dates at checkout for customer awareness.
- Versatile Packing: Offer various packing methods to suit different shipping needs.
PluginHive | PROS | CONS |
Price: From $9/month for 100 orders - $99/month for unlimited orders |
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Overall rating: 3.5* (1+ reviews) | ||
Key Features to Look For in BigCommerce Shipping Apps
In-cart Checkout
Providing diverse, cost-effective shipping choices at checkout is key to finalizing sales. Customers favor options beyond just flat-rate or free but slow shipping, especially for time-sensitive buys.
Offering only free, slow shipping may result in lost sales. Tools that show live shipping rates, whether through a single carrier’s API or multi-carrier software, offer customers flexibility and can enhance sales.
Label printing
Efficient delivery to the customer’s doorstep is vital when fulfilling orders. Label printing solutions streamline this process by eliminating manual copying and pasting. Merchants can link their store to multiple carriers, automatically transferring order details to a user-friendly shipping dashboard for label printing.
Bulk label printing saves time, and top label printing companies secure significant shipping rate discounts. For example, the Bigcommerce shipping integration ShipStation collaborates with carriers like UPS, USPS, FedEx, and DHL, offering cost savings.
Tracking and returns
Customers want real-time updates on their orders, especially since they’ve paid for the product. Providing tracking information keeps them satisfied.
You can use various methods, including label printing programs. Customers may then check their order status on the carrier’s website using tracking numbers or subscribe to email/SMS alerts. This feature has several benefits: it reassures customers that the retailer is in control and encourages repeat visits to the merchant’s website.
Warehouse
Using a third-party logistics (3PL) provider is ideal for businesses looking to expand rapidly, dealing with mounting orders, or wanting to avoid fulfillment tasks. When transitioning from home or garage-based shipping, you face decisions like running your warehouse, hiring staff, or investing in warehouse management solutions (WMS).
Fast delivery has become crucial, with Amazon setting the 2-day standard. However, achieving this can be expensive, leading to customer reluctance or retailer cost burdens. To address the challenge, 3PL providers such as ShipBob offer a solution. When a customer places an order, ShipBob automatically processes it, considering inventory levels and the customer’s location. They select the right warehouse, handle packing, print labels, and ensure prompt delivery.
Dropshipping
Dropshipping can be an ideal choice if you collaborate with vendors and handle some or all of your catalog through dropshipping. However, interpretations of this term can vary.
For merchants who don’t fulfill their products, ShipperHQ is an excellent solution. It lets you identify vendor locations and allocate goods accordingly. When customers complete checkout, accurate shipping costs and delivery times are provided. For more advanced order routing, consider supplementing with an ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) or OMS (Order Management System).
BigCommerce Shipping Apps: FAQ
How do I ship with BigCommerce?
To begin, navigate to Settings › Shipping. If you’re new to BigCommerce, the built-in shipping setup will guide you through configuring your origin address and the shipping services you wish to provide. With Basic Shipping integrations, you can easily set up static and real-time shipping quotes to display on your storefront.
Does ShipStation work with BigCommerce?
Yes, it works with BigCommerce to quickly import your orders to begin shipping. As you generate each label, ShipStation will instantly update your BigCommerce account with the shipment details for each order.
Does Shippo integrate with BigCommerce?
Yes. Shippo stands as a top choice for modern eCommerce shipping, trusted by over 100,000 businesses. Connect your BigCommerce store with Shippo to streamline your logistics and expand your business efficiently.
Final Words
We have just delved into the best BigCommerce shipping apps to optimize your shipping process and customer experience.
LitExtension, the #1 Shopping Cart Migration Expert hopes that this article enriches your knowledge of BigCommerce shipping. For further insights, visit our LitExtension Blog or become part of our Facebook Community Group.